Author Topic: Banks Dynasty (Read 1847 times)

alyssa.cole · « **on:** September 03, 2010, 05:39:16 PM »

Once upon a time, there was a lovely young lady named Lila Banks. She had an idyllic childhood, and was well loved by her many extended family members, including her parents River and T.D. Banks, her brother Shore Banks, cousin World Banks, and cherished (if a little plump) grandmother known to all as Piggie Banks. Feeling a bit overshadowed by her extremely successful family members, Lila decided to strike out on her own as soon as she'd become a Young Adult.

She hopes to establish her own dynasty of happy and thriving Banks family members!

alyssa.cole · « **Reply #1 on:** September 03, 2010, 05:50:38 PM »

With her own start-up money, Lila purchased a large lot with a stunning view at 15 Summerhill Ct. in Sunset Valley. She's a Sim of many talents, but her personality is dictated by her traits. She's a Natural Cook with a Green Thumb who Loves the Outdoors. Lila's a bit of a Loner, but as a Born Saleswoman, she knows how to turn on the charm when it's time to impress. She'd love to learn every recipe available to her, and hopes to someday be a premier Culinary Librarian.

alyssa.cole · « **Reply #2 on:** September 03, 2010, 06:15:16 PM »

Lila began exploring her new town. She spent some time reading at the library, slept overnight at the firehouse, and then made her way to the park. While harvesting some apples and limes, Lila spotted the man of her dreams picnicking all alone. She and Stiles McGraw hit it off right away, and after a whirlwind courtship, decided to have a private wedding ceremony on the beach near her home.

New town, new home, new husband, and the challenges keep coming. Stiles and Lila's family funds are fairly limited, so to prove his love Stiles sold the guitar in his inventory and quit his low level gig as a musician. He knows that Lila has big plans for their new family, so he's joined the ranks of the self-employed as a painter, and is at his easel around the clock. After just a few days, his skill level has greatly improved and will soon be able to paint a portrait of his beautiful wife.

Meanwhile, Lila has a small garden planted. She grows a lot of lettuce, and between weeding and watering spends her time preparing Autumn Salad over and over to improve her cooking skills and move toward those meal total challenges. To make ends meet, she's also taken a job at the diner, waiting tables and getting to know her co-workers.

So far this founder is off to a busy start. Stay tuned to see what the Banks family is up to next!

Schipperke · « **Reply #3 on:** September 03, 2010, 06:28:54 PM »

Nice start, Alyssa. I look forward to reading more!

simfulicious · « **Reply #4 on:** September 03, 2010, 08:37:34 PM »

I love your beach wedding photo! Keep up the good work!

Pam · « **Reply #5 on:** September 03, 2010, 08:58:06 PM »

Interesting to see Stiles McGraw as the spouse of the founder. In my game, he was killed by lightning at a young age. Really caught me by surprise.

alyssa.cole · « **Reply #6 on:** September 03, 2010, 09:07:46 PM »

One of the first sims I ever played in my game married Stiles McGraw, but he's never been a romantic interest for any of my ladies since. He didn't bring much to the table finance-wise, but he's fairly good-looking, so hopefully they'll produce an attractive heir. That, or Lila just couldn't resist his amazing red plaid lumberjack shirt!

Thanks for the encouragement, everyone! This is my first time posting any kind of story, so it's great to see it being read by other forum members!

alyssa.cole · « **Reply #7 on:** September 04, 2010, 08:57:18 AM »

Since we last checked in, Lila and Stiles Banks have been steadily improving their skills. She's still preparing Autumn Salad like there's no tomorrow, but took a break to pose for her Young Adult portrait. It's turned out to be a Brilliant painting, Lila and some apple trees from her garden in the background.

A few days before her birthday, Lila got to thinking that the timing might be right to start planning a family. She and Stiles tried their luck, and were soon eagerly anticipating the birth of their child.

Saltypaws · « **Reply #8 on:** September 04, 2010, 09:00:43 AM »

That portrait turned out really good. The ones mine do are masterpieces, but look awful, really fuzzy, so maybe outside is better, unless that is my painters style, then nothing will help. Keep up the good work, you are off to a great start.

alyssa.cole · « **Reply #9 on:** September 04, 2010, 09:04:56 AM »

Oh, boy! Lila and Stiles have welcomed a son, Sam Banks. There could not have been a more wanted child. Just before his birth, Lila had the wishes 'Have a child with Stiles', 'Have first child', and 'Have a boy'. Stiles also had the 'Have first child' wish, so Sam's arrival brought the family a whopping 17,500 happiness points. I think it's safe to say that they're overjoyed!

Sam is Artistic and Loves the Outdoors. He also loves clean diapers, full bottles, and being cuddled by mom.

AriaGirl77 · « **Reply #10 on:** September 05, 2010, 06:40:19 PM »

Very cute! I love how you came up with names for Lila's parents and grandparents! So funny!

alyssa.cole · « **Reply #11 on:** September 07, 2010, 06:35:16 PM »

A little more stable, the Banks family decided it was time for walls, windows, and a roof over their heads. They built a small, yet charming house, and are quite happy to be living indoors.

Sam has grown up so quickly! He learned to walk, talk, and was potty trained. He sat still (thank you pause button) for his toddler portrait, and before the Banks' knew it, he was off to his first day of elementary school. As he's going to take on the role of household painter, Sam's started to look the part early, and has chosen to wear an outfit that includes an apron.

When he's not at school, doing homework, or chatting on the phone with his female classmates (never too early to develop romantic interests!), Sam's busy painting at his easel.

Schipperke · « **Reply #12 on:** September 07, 2010, 07:39:04 PM »

I am enjoying your story, Alyssa. You have a charming little family!

alyssa.cole · « **Reply #13 on:** September 08, 2010, 05:03:30 PM »

Sam registered as a self-employed painter as soon as he aged up to a teen. With the exception of posing for his portrait at this age, he dedicated every spare moment to raising his painting skill and selling them to increase family funds. He couldn't even be troubled to turn around for this snapshot.

Once he became a young adult, Sam picked up the Observant LTR, and invited over a few of the young ladies he'd gotten to know during his time in school. He narrowly avoided committing to one with an Evil trait, another that somehow ended up quite a bit older than him, and settled on Julia Kahn, a papergirl of no particular address. Following in his parents' footsteps, Sam and Julia had their own private beach wedding.

Sam and Julia Banks are off for a honeymoon in Egypt, where he'll pick up a top-of-the-line camera and snap photos of some of the landmarks (and his new wife). Julia will be collecting some of the exotic fruits to add to the garden at home, and hoping she doesn't get caught sneaking them through customs on the way home.

Stay tuned! Up next, Lila prepares to mix up a tricky and precise recipe for everlasting life.

Pam · « **Reply #14 on:** September 09, 2010, 03:02:13 AM »

Looks like Stiles turned out to be good daddy material! Lovely story.

AriaGirl77 · « **Reply #15 on:** September 09, 2010, 07:52:16 PM »

What beautiful wedding pictures!

alyssa.cole · « **Reply #16 on:** September 14, 2010, 05:11:15 PM »

With a new couple in the house, there were bound to be some growing pains. Lila didn't quite hit it off with her new daughter-in-law, Julia. As far as she's concerned, Julia's cooking leaves something to be desired, and she hardly ever sees Sam anymore. Julia has a brand new career in Business, and is very Ambitious about moving up the corporate ladder. When Lila kindly suggested that Julia might think about spending a little less time at the office, and a little more time at home, this is the priceless look she got in return.

alyssa.cole · « **Reply #17 on:** September 14, 2010, 06:06:24 PM »

In order to keep the peace and provide some private space for the members of this growing family, the Banks' hired a contractor and stood patiently by the mailbox while a new home was constructed for them. The builder and decorator was a family friend, so the space has been very well planned and personalized. Finally, there's room for each of the Banks' to live and grow!

The new home's exterior:

Immediately inside the front door is a large foyer with a sunken garden, inspired by a house Sam and Julia saw on their Egyptian honeymoon. The family is planning to add ice sculptures to this space sometime soon!

Straight through the foyer is an enormous kitchen with Lila's top-of-the line fridge and five-star chef-worthy appliances. There's a breakfast bar, and a large dining area with seating for eight.

AriaGirl77 · « **Reply #18 on:** September 14, 2010, 06:14:58 PM »

Very nice house! I love the kitchen and how you recolored the appliances.

alyssa.cole · « **Reply #19 on:** September 14, 2010, 06:21:27 PM »

The best features of the new house are the individual suites that have been prepared for each generation. Each is made up of a bedroom, bathroom, and living area. Each is decorated to reflect the tastes of its owner. Lila's is somewhat formal, with patterned browns and stylish accents. She and Stiles enjoy the quiet space to relax in their elder years.

Sam and Julia's suite is directly across the foyer from his parents, and is a mirror image layout of their space. It's decorated to be much more casual, and has a bit of a world-travel inspired theme. Sam's painting easels look out the windows to the back lawn.

Saltypaws · « **Reply #20 on:** September 14, 2010, 07:09:46 PM »

Very nice. I like it spacious and I think mine is too big, but will fill up quickly. You did a very good job on the house.

Joria · « **Reply #21 on:** September 15, 2010, 01:53:12 AM »

Great story and I love the house. That's a wonderful idea for keeping the generations at peace with one another!

alyssa.cole · « **Reply #22 on:** September 15, 2010, 02:58:44 PM »

I'm hoping that the space is well planned out enough, and doesn't end up being too big. Each one of the current suites has a staircase already built-in for generations 3 & 4 to live on the second floor, and then for 5-8 I'll add on to either side of the kitchen and upstairs as well. It may end up being too many rooms for each sim once my spouses start passing on, but I kind of like the idea of decorating the rooms to reflect the owners' personality, favorites, and chosen skills. It's a good thing the dynasty can move at our own pace, as it seems like I've been spending more time in buy or build than in live mode lately. LOL. Thanks for the input!

alyssa.cole · « **Reply #23 on:** September 17, 2010, 10:00:43 AM »

With the family unpacked and settled in, Lila decided there was no better time to take stock of everything she'd accomplished so far in her life. She's a very detail-oriented record keeper, so she pulled out her laptop and sat down to type up some notes.

Well, for starters, Lila thought to herself as she glanced down at her outfit, I've conquered the professional world, making it as a Celebrated 5-Star Chef. I've met a number of different challenges that have come my way, from reading special books to delivering requested items to my neighbors. I've helped to improve my community by investing in a local business (Diner) and upgrading a local natural landscape (Stoney Falls). I've built lasting friendships, and raised a delightful son. I've posed and smiled as my husband painted my likeness, and as my hard work began to pay off, I slowed down long enough to enjoy a few rewards (Collection Helper, Discount Diner, Complementary Entertainment). It's always been my lifetime wish to become a Culinary Librarian, and my bookshelves are stocked with recipes. I guess that all there is left to do is prepare the most difficult and precise of the recipes perfectly. Very content with her accomplishments, Lila snapped the laptop shut. Off to the kitchen to make Ambrosia!

alyssa.cole · « **Reply #24 on:** September 17, 2010, 10:15:16 AM »

Hard at work in her beautiful kitchen, Lila slices up some Lifefruit from her garden, and seasons the fresh DeathFish that Stiles caught for her.

She mixes it all together, bakes it up, and brings a plate to the table to sample her creation. Hmm, Lila thinks, I must have done something right, this dish is delicious!

Oh my! What is going on! This stuff is making me feel all tingly and glowy!

I feel like all of my wrinkles are tightening up. My aches and pains have faded! I'm calm and peaceful, like the years have melted away and I could live forever! I'm amazed! The look on Lila's face clearly says "What is IN this stuff?!?"

alyssa.cole · « **Reply #25 on:** September 17, 2010, 10:35:24 AM »

Lila is in disbelief. This recipe obviously has some life-giving and restorative powers. This knowledge can't find its way into the wrong hands, she decides. The last thing this town needs is a bunch of lazy young Sims overdosing on Ambrosia in dark corners after curfew. Not on my watch, Lila thinks. She looks around the room and remembers the list of accomplishments she's just made on her laptop. She'll only share this special recipe with those Sims that have proven themselves worthy. If they can show her that they've dedicated their lives to hard work, overcome challenges, and focused their attention on friends, family, and community involvement, she'll invite them to eat this special meal.

She thinks of her family - Stiles has really gotten up there in years, and while he's done an amazing job as a husband, father and provider, she must admit that he's a bit of a loner and can't really claim any friends of his own. It breaks her heart, but she's a stickler for rules, and Stiles just won't make the cut. She knows she owes a lot of her own success to their loving relationship and vows to make the most of the time they have left together. Who else in the Banks clan might be able to eat this delicacy? Her daughter-in-law, Julia? Lila is too polite to laugh out loud, but knows that no matter how hard her son's wife works, she won't keep her around for eternity. Sam! Her son is already so dedicated to his work, and has all the best traits from his parents. He's only a young adult, but Lila is confident he will live up to her sky-high expectations. And then he'll have children, and of course they'll be equally as charming and dedicated to hard work. Lila can barely contain her excitement about being around to see her grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow up!

alyssa.cole · « **Reply #26 on:** September 17, 2010, 10:45:22 AM »

Just as Lila has grandchildren on the brain, Sam and Julia have managed to find time between their painting and promotions to make their own addition. Beautiful baby girl Stella is welcomed to the family!

Sam's photography skill has been steadily climbing, and he can't resist taking lots of dramatic photos of his new daughter. He decided to hang one of his favorite shots on the wall of what will become Stella's suite in their home. It's a sepiatone of his mother holding Stella, and Sam pauses to admire his handiwork before getting back to snuggling and playing with Stella.

AriaGirl77 · « **Reply #27 on:** September 17, 2010, 11:57:37 AM »

I love your story, your writing is excellent! And that picture of Stella w/ her granny is just flat out awesome!

Joria · « **Reply #28 on:** September 18, 2010, 04:26:22 PM »

Loving it! You really are quite a writer.

ratchie · « **Reply #29 on:** September 18, 2010, 05:00:34 PM »

Great story I love the name Stella too. I have a Stella in my story too she is named after my oldest daughter who insisted I use her name.
I cannot wait to find out what happens.

Rachel

Anushka · « **Reply #30 on:** September 19, 2010, 03:27:17 AM »

Lovely story, with romance, conflicts, hard work and fresh turnovers, I really like how you create a real story with this pictures! And I would use some of your ideas in creating museum in my game, thank you for that

I didn't follow carefully to remember if you leave a child gender to random or you plan it ahead?

alyssa.cole · « **Reply #31 on:** September 19, 2010, 09:26:24 AM »

Quote from: Anushka on September 19, 2010, 03:27:17 AM

I didn't follow carefully to remember if you leave a child gender to random or you plan it ahead?

Thanks for the feedback! Before I started, I made a list of first names that I knew I wanted to use for my immortals. After that, I did a little bit more planning to organize them in a way that makes sense for which skills they'll be focusing on. More based on the names I like than anything else, if I follow the list I'll have 5 women and 3 men in the end. As the story evolves, I may move around the places I'd originally set for the generations, but I have a full garden of apples and watermelon to guarantee that when my next child is born I can name him Nicholas and not Nicole.

alyssa.cole · « **Reply #32 on:** October 03, 2010, 05:50:50 PM »

Sorry for the long delay in my story posts! I'd done some playing and have had screenshots saved on the computer for a few weeks, but unexpectedly had to travel out of state for some real-life family developments. It's a good thing these dynasties are meant to be progressing at a leisurely pace! At any rate, the Banks' story is back in session, so happy reading.

alyssa.cole · « **Reply #33 on:** October 03, 2010, 06:48:08 PM »

Little Stella has grown into an adorable toddler. She's inherited her father and grandmother's sparkling green eyes, and has an affinity for pretty pink outfits.

As the first member of the Banks family born into a comfortable financial position, Stella is doted on by every member of the family. Truth be told, she's a little bit spoiled and has all the best toys and playthings. She's so sweet, though, that her grandparents can't help being wrapped around her little finger. Nothing's too good for their little princess!

alyssa.cole · « **Reply #34 on:** October 03, 2010, 07:29:01 PM »

Quickly enough, Stella learns to walk and talk, and all too soon her birthday arrives. She was born with the Good and Artistic traits, but as a result of her privileged upbringing has developed into a bit of a Snob. She appreciates having nice things, and takes pride in always looking just right.

On someone else, Stella's sense of entitlement might seem pretentious, but her personality suits her and she somehow manages a balance of calm gracefulness and impeccable manners that endear her to everyone she meets. While other neighborhood kids are out playing tag or collecting rocks and insects, Stella comes straight home, does her homework, and spends quality time with her family. She stands quietly (and with perfect posture) while her grandfather paints her portrait, accompanies her dad on a trip to the local art museum, and helps her grandmother bake cookies.

alyssa.cole · « **Reply #35 on:** October 03, 2010, 08:29:01 PM »

Sadly, this picture of the perfect family life can't last forever. Lila, Sam and Julia try not to worry Stella, but they've all noticed that Stiles isn't moving quite as quickly as he used to. While he can still paint masterpieces before breakfast, Stiles is finding it harder to hold onto the paintbrush, and takes long naps in the afternoon in order to keep up with his late-night fishing schedule. And who can blame him? At 110 days, he's happy to have been able to provide so well for his family. Perhaps his most important contribution is the impressive collection of Deathfish he's reeled in for Lila's use in the kitchen. Altogether, he's caught nearly 90 of them, which will keep the fridge stocked for quite some time.

One afternoon as Stiles was busy at his easel, the Grim Reaper showed up to escort him on his journey to the hereafter.

After getting over their initial shock at his passing, the family gathered to celebrate the life of their beloved husband, father and grandfather. Having recently purchased Summer Hill Springs (the park across the street from their home), Sam constructed a walled garden to serve as a family burial plot. They placed an elaborate monument in his honor, and mourned the loss. Rest in peace, Stiles McGraw Banks.

Returning home, Lila sits in her suite, alone with her grief at becoming a widow. She will miss her husband, but takes comfort in their many happy memories. She can't help but be slightly cheered by the knowledge that her special recipe for Ambrosia will preserve the lives of her descendants, sparing them the difficult pain of mortality and ensuring that life goes on.

Saltypaws · « **Reply #36 on:** October 04, 2010, 12:46:07 AM »

Nice update. I hate it when the first one dies, well any of them, but it seems the hardest for the first one. Silly me, I forgot that you could put the gravestone in the park. I guess I should try that, Agnes is making a pest of herself having the gravestone at home. I really like how your story is going.

alyssa.cole · « **Reply #37 on:** October 06, 2010, 05:42:14 PM »

Happy birthday to. . . Stella and Julia Banks!

Keeping with the trend of being the family member with the least amount of face time, Julia ages up quietly and off camera.
But their baby girl's a different story, and her parents gather round while Stella blows out the candles.

Then she immediately makes a beeline for her suite, where she updates her hair, make-up, and outfit. Her fancy tastes are evident in the expensive, plush pink decor of her bedroom.

Stella's artistic trait and preference for nice things leads her to choose the Savvy Sculptor trait. She hopes to add many stunning sculptures to the family's home, and gets started right away with the new sculpting station that was a birthday gift from her grandmother. Like her family members before her, Stella considers herself an overachiever and registers as a self-employed sculptress while still in school.

Everyone expects big things from Stella, and she's off to a very promising start! She clearly has high hopes for herself as well - while her days are filled with classes and chisels, she spends her nights dreaming of shiny, sparkly jewels. Good luck, Stells! It'll take a lot of stone mermaids to buy a diamond that big!

alyssa.cole · « **Reply #38 on:** October 06, 2010, 06:27:58 PM »

A few days later, Stella's father Sam has his own birthday. Sam discreetly subscribes to one of those hair-care clubs that promise to eliminate gray hair, and is pleased with the results.

With her son all grown up, Lila knows it's finally time to have a conversation. She's not quite sure how to present the information about her "special recipe" to him, but summons up her courage and asks him into her sitting room for a serious chat.

"So, Sam," she starts. "You've done an admirable job of making this family the success that it's become. You've made a very respectable living from your painting, and your photographs are simply extraordinary. You've invested well, have many friends, and are always willing to go out of your way to help others in need. I could not be more proud of you, son." Stella figures that laying the groundwork with flattery will help make the next part of the conversation a little easier.

She continues, "What if I told you, Sam, that you didn't have to leave all of that behind? That you could continue to enjoy the fruits of your labor. That you could watch your daughter grow up, and her children, and their children, and never have to worry about the pain and peril of old age and death?"

Sam is (understandably) puzzled. "I'm not sure I know where you're going with this, Mom. Are you trying to say that you've found some sort of fountain of youth? Something to keep Julia and I alive forever?" Julia has chosen this moment to join them in the sitting room, and appears to be engrossed enough in her book to ignore the unbelievable conversation she's stumbled into.

alyssa.cole · « **Reply #39 on:** October 06, 2010, 06:48:58 PM »

Lila is visibly uncomfortable when she answers. "Well, not exactly. It is a recipe of sorts, and yes, it would make us immortal. But, err, umm, the us, would be you, and me, and Stella - when she's ready of course - but, well, probably not Julia. No, not Julia. Just the family, Sam."

Sam is out of his seat and overwhelmed by feelings of anger and confusion.
"What do you mean, just the family? She's my family. She's Stella's family. I can't believe you'd suggest. . . I mean, you've never liked her, never gotten to know her," he trails off, furious. "This is garbage, Mother! Garbage!"

Lila tries to back off a bit, hoping to calm Sam down. "Look, I know you're upset. This is a LOT to take in. Believe me, it's not easy to talk about it. And it has nothing to do with Julia herself, it's just, well, we can't take everyone with us, Sam. Your father, may he rest in peace, wouldn't have been happy living this kind of life. We all have to make some sacrifices."

"How could I even. . . would I have to tell her? No. No, this is too much. I don't want to even think about it. Just let us be. I, I need to get out of this house for awhile." Sam is full of anxiety and too shocked to continue any kind of conversation with his mother. Lila knows her son well enough to know not to push any further tonight.

"Please, Sam. Just take some time. I wouldn't have offered this if I didn't love you and want to see you take advantage of this beautiful opportunity. Promise me you'll think about it."

Sam sighs and shakes his head. "Do you really think I'll be able to think about anything else?" Sam hugs his mother, then calls Julia's name. She looks up from her book, oblivious to the entire scene. Sam takes his wife's hand, and leads her out of the room.

alyssa.cole · « **Reply #40 on:** October 06, 2010, 07:08:02 PM »

Needing to put some space between himself and the surreal discussion he'd just had with his mother, Sam buys two first-class tickets to the French countryside. He can barely look at Julia without blurting out the whole awful truth. He sends her off to a tasting tour at the nectary while he completes enough adventures to buy her a vacation house. He's feeling guilty, and overspends to furnish it with all the best items. He's admiring the view of the river out the back window when he catches himself thinking that it'd be the perfect place to teach a grandchild to fish or play catch. There are still so many places in the world he'd love to see. Photographs to take, pictures to paint. Sam's resolve is weakening as he heads into the center of town to meet Julia for dinner.

They sit at a small cafe, sharing high-priced plates of cheese and frog legs. The sun is setting, and she is smiling as the antique streetlamps begin to brighten the courtyard. Sam looks at her, and he knows. Knows he will never tell her. Knows that he will do everything in his power to enjoy the time they have left together, but that when the time comes he will accept his mother's offer. With the decision made, relief washes over him, and he orders another round of nectar to share with his lovely wife.

alyssa.cole · « **Reply #41 on:** October 06, 2010, 07:16:08 PM »

Days later, when they've made the return journey back home, Sam asks Lila to visit his suite.

They sit, and their discussion is brief. He informs her of his decision, and she agrees not to discuss the matter further in front of Julia or Stella. Sam shakes his head worriedly, thinking of the day he'll have to fill his daughter in on the family secret. His mother just laughs, and tells her son, "It'll get easier, Sam. Stella's a smart girl! She'll know something's up when she's got wrinkles and her granny's still around!"

Joria · « **Reply #42 on:** October 07, 2010, 12:25:27 PM »

The story is moving along so nicely! I love the struggle he had with the whole concept. Yet, the lure of immortality is so great!

News:

Author Topic: Banks Dynasty (Read 1847 times)